Crook dropped TV on paedophile's head

Dominic Collis

An attacker who rang 999 and told police he had “dropped a television on a paedophile’s head,” is facing a jail term for what a judge said could be classed as hate crime.

Prolific crook Jack Brooks (24) was on licence from prison and had been downing vodka when he inflicted two vertical gashes, which needed hospital treatment, to the back of the victim’s head.

Both were staying at Highfield House, a probation hostel on Lydia Street, in Accrington.

Brooks claimed he assaulted the victim as he had heard he raped a child and he thought he deserved it, Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard.

The hearing was told the victim had convictions for possessing indecent images of children, but had never been convicted of any kind of assault. There was no evidence that he had committed the offence Brooks alleged he had.

The defendant, who is from Burnley, admitted assault causing him actual bodily harm. He has been recalled to prison and was committed in custody to be sentenced at Burnley Crown Court on March 10th.